Hershey, Lewis Blaine, 1893-1977

Lewis Blaine Hershey (September 12, 1893 – May 20, 1977) was a United States Army general who served as the second Director of the Selective Service System, the means by which the United States administers its military conscription.

<p>Retired Army Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, 83, one of the nation's most powerful men during three decades as director of the Selective Service System, died yesterday in his sleep at a motel in Angola, Ind.</p>

<p>A trustee of his alma mater, Tri-State College in Angola, he had gone there to attend a board meeting yesterday afternoon. He also was to have attended graduation exercises today at the university, where a memorial to him is being created.</p>

<p>Gen. Hershey had undergone surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain at Walter Reed Hospital on Feb. 24.</p>

<p>He remained hospitalized until April, 20. He then was allowed to return to his home in Bethesda, but went back to Walter Reed as an outpatient.</p>

<p>When his wife of 59 years, Ellen Hershey, died of a heart attack on April 1, Gen. Hershey got permission from hospital authorities to attend her burial in Arlington National Cemetery. Despite his incapacities, he insisted on walking from the chapel to the graveside.</p>

Lewis Blaine Hershey (1893-1977) was the Director of the Selective Service System of the United States. He joined the Indiana National Guard in 1911, entered the U.S. Army in 1920 with the rank of captain, and held a series of appointments and duty posts. In 1936, he was made secretary of the Joint Army and Navy Selective Service Committee. When Congress established the first peacetime draft in September 1940, Hershey then served as Deputy Director of the Selective Service System from 1940 to 1941, and Director from 1941 to 1970. In February 1970 he was replaced as Director of the Selective Service, and was promoted to the rank of full general. He retired from the Army in 1973.

<p>As director of the Selective Service System, Hershey was responsible for the veteran status of many of the Legionnaires he addressed at the 1946 convention. Presenting him with the Distinguished Service Medal, incoming National Commander Paul Griffith recognized Hershey for growing the military during World War II.</p>

<p>"When certain factions attempted to weaken our national defense by demolishing our Selective Service System, you were quick to pick up the gauntlet," Griffith said. "Those parties are still attempting to destroy America's defense during a period of international unrest and political friction. I am confident that they recognize one of their strongest opponents, just as we recognize you as the veterans' staunchest supporter."</p>

<p>Hershey, in turn, praised those who served on local boards during World War II: "Six years ago, you came by the hundreds of thousands to help register 16 million of our manhood ... young men who left school, job and home. Men who left mothers, sweethearts, wives and children to meet the foe. Men who offered their time, their bodies, their lives so that America might be spared the fate of much of the rest of this world."</p>

<p>In 1940, President Roosevelt promoted Hershey to brigadier general and named him an executive officer of the Selective Service. The following year he became director, serving through World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Amid antiwar protests, President Nixon removed him from office in 1970.</p>

<p>An Indiana native, Hershey joined the National Guard in 1911. His unit served at the Mexican border in 1916. After World War I, he moved to the Arm<p>y and became a captain in 1920. He also taught military science at Ohio State University and, as a active volunteer, earned several prestigious Scouting awards.</p>

<p>Hershey retired in 1973 and died four years later, at 83.</p>